France vs Wales referee drops out of Six Nations opener following abuse
Yesterday at 04:47 AM
Chris Busby isn't hanging up the whistle just yet—despite reports suggesting the referee had already officiated his final match.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
The Irish official found himself at the centre of a storm last month after Connacht star Mack Hansen unleashed an expletive-laden rant about officiating following their United Rugby Championship defeat to Leinster.
While Hansen didn't directly call out Busby, he slammed the inconsistency at the Aviva Stadium—setting the stage for speculation over the referee's future.
Rumours quickly swirled that Busby had walked away mid-season, but that's wide of the mark.
However, he has been pulled from the 2025 Six Nations opener, with Italy's Andrea Piardi now stepping in as assistant in Paris.
As for Hansen, he hasn't escaped unscathed. The wing has been hit with a six-match ban (three suspended) and must complete a course before sharing his learnings with his Connacht teammates.
Guinness Men's Six Nations 2025 appointments
Round 1: 31 Jan-1 Feb
France v Wales
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: Chris Busby (Ire) Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Jordan Way (Aus)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
FPRO: Damon Murphy (Aus)
Scotland v Italy
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
ARs: Luke Pearce (Eng) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Ireland v England
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Hollie Davidson (Sco)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Round 2: 8-9 Feb
Italy v Wales
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Sam Grove-White (Sco)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
England v France
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Scotland v Ireland
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
Round 3: 22-23 Feb
Wales v Ireland
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
England v Scotland
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Luc Ramos (Fra)
TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
Italy v France
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
ARs: Chris Busby (Ire) Craig Evans (Wal) & Eoghan Cross (Ire)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
Round 4: 8-9 March
Ireland v France
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
ARs: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
Scotland v Wales
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nic Berry (Aus) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
England v Italy
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
ARs: Craig Evans (Wal) & Luc Ramos (Fra)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
Round 5: 15 March
Italy v Ireland
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)
ARs: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Morné Ferreira (SA)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
Wales v England
Referee: Nic Berry (Aus)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Hollie Davidson (Sco)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
France v Scotland
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Eoghan Cross (Ire)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
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NIGEL OWENS SIX NATIONS DREAM XV:
Hailing from Wales, Owens has left an enduring impact on the sport, captivating global audiences with his distinctive officiating style.
Having officiated numerous exceptionally talented players throughout his illustrious career, Owens has now revealed his extraordinary XV lineup, as reported by Wales Online. Notably, a substantial portion of his picks includes individuals who have proudly worn the captain’s armband.
Delving into his honourable mentions and other interviews, we’ve compiled Owens’ Six Nations dream team, necessitating six changes from his original selection.
NIGEL OWENS DREAM XV:
Fullback: Israel Folau (Australia), replaced by Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Owens said: “For me, it's nip and tuck between Halfpenny and Folau, next to nothing to choose between them. Leigh is brilliant because under the high ball and with his kicking at goal under pressure. He may not always break the line when running but puts his body on the line in defence and is a top-notch match-winner.”
Winger: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Owens said: “How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He's so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, was named Six Nations player of the tournament.
“I know he's a full-back for Scotland, but he is so quick and direct he could easily play on the wing. He reminds me a bit of Shane Williams with some of the things he does.
“When you see who is on the other wing in my team, you'll see how they would work brilliantly in tandem.”
Outside-centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
Owens said: “Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he's a fantastic man off the field as well. O'Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.
“A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch.”
Inside-centre: Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand), replaced by Owen Farrell (England)
Owens praised Farrell as a player on numerous occasions.
On one occasion he wrote:“I can only speak from my own experience of refereeing him and, when I did, he was an excellent captain to deal with.
“I have a huge amount of respect for him as a player and a person. He always knew where the line was with me.
“I would say to him that he could always come and talk to me as long as it was at the right time and in the right tone and he always did that.”
Winger: Shane Williams (Wales)
Owens said: “When people ask me who is the best player I have refereed it's pretty much an impossible task to pick one because I've been lucky enough to take charge of so many greats.
“But if I'm pushed, I would pick Shane for what he achieved after coming from football at 17 or 18 years of age.
“He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps. Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that.”
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
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